FW Prices--Sticker Shock!!
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Yes you can still get bargins but us quilters are driving the prices of FW up. Quilters want them badly to carry to quilt class and such. Many are willing to pay the $400 to $600 price tag for them. I was talking with a lady who repairs them that comes to the toga and she can't keep up with them. I really don't like the FW but I am a guy so what do I know. It is like one gets one at the quilt class then they all want one and they will pay.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Some where in way out West Texas
Posts: 3,041
#13
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
People assume if its an old machine, its certainly worth a fortune; no matter what condition its in.
I like to sew with featherweights and 301s, they sew well and are light enough to take to a quilt class or sew-in. Years ago I paid $500 for a white featherweight, didn't know any better back then. It was fully serviced including rewiring of both the machine and motor, the whole machine was gone over. It has since been sold and is very happy with the new owner. I bought it from an OSMG in Florida.
When I sell off some of my Singer 301s, I price them at $200, but then my machines are in very good condition and have been cleaned & oiled by me. The Featherweights, I price at $250-300, depending on condition, they get a new motor belt,felt pad,rubber feet on the bottom of the machine and foot control and also a new cord if needed.
I've been servicing my FWs and 301s and doing for customers since 2000. I've learned a lot in that time.
Sharon
I like to sew with featherweights and 301s, they sew well and are light enough to take to a quilt class or sew-in. Years ago I paid $500 for a white featherweight, didn't know any better back then. It was fully serviced including rewiring of both the machine and motor, the whole machine was gone over. It has since been sold and is very happy with the new owner. I bought it from an OSMG in Florida.
When I sell off some of my Singer 301s, I price them at $200, but then my machines are in very good condition and have been cleaned & oiled by me. The Featherweights, I price at $250-300, depending on condition, they get a new motor belt,felt pad,rubber feet on the bottom of the machine and foot control and also a new cord if needed.
I've been servicing my FWs and 301s and doing for customers since 2000. I've learned a lot in that time.
Sharon
Last edited by purplefiend; 06-21-2013 at 08:45 AM.
#15
I have two FW's that I would love to sell - have sewn on one quite a bit and it runs great - $300. The other one is just as nice (not perfect) and I had to have it serviced in order to use it - $375 -- don't want to ship them though -- not even sure what it would cost to have it packed by UPS so it would arrive in the same condition I shipped it in. I did advertise one of them on craigslist and got a couple of nibbles but then the weird emails started coming and I pulled my advertisement and have not put it back on since. I am still getting the emails a couple of months later - not sure how I will advertise them next time. I might just hold onto them and sell them by word of mouth - a lady who works at a quilt shop at the beach may be interested - you never know who you will talk to that will turn into the one person who will buy a machine. I would love to have a 301 - even offered to trade my FW for one - never heard from the lady - she was VERY proud of her 301! I have also been looking at the little Elna Grasshoppers when I see them on www.shopgoodwill.com - it would be cool to score one of those too.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: in the heart of the awl
Posts: 1,015
The guy that fixes my machines said that the featherweights are over-priced because there are so many of them out there. He said they will stay high as long as people are willing to pay that much for them. It's all about $
#17
I paid $200, $200, $350, $550, $650, the last 2 were repainted a beautiful blue and a shimmering green. My sister talked me out of one of the first ones I got, so only have 4, but I love them! Would love to have a purple one and a fushia one. LOL I love colors!!!
#18
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Stanwood, Wa.
Posts: 59
Anyone looking at prices on the Featherweights should check out the Shop Goodwill site for Hillsboro, Oregon. There are three up for auction right now. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/search/S...&showthumbs=on With three days left until the earliest closes they are already up into the low $100's.
Since these machines are so light, the shipping cost isn't too bad. I bought one machine from them and it was reasonably well packed. It arrived undamaged, but could have used a bit more packing material to have been safer in transit. The case was well cushioned from the box. The problem was that there was nothing inside the case to keep the machine from moving. Fortunately, it didn't bounce around too much in there. If I were to get another from them, I would definitely ask them to make sure to add padding on the inside of the case.
Since these machines are so light, the shipping cost isn't too bad. I bought one machine from them and it was reasonably well packed. It arrived undamaged, but could have used a bit more packing material to have been safer in transit. The case was well cushioned from the box. The problem was that there was nothing inside the case to keep the machine from moving. Fortunately, it didn't bounce around too much in there. If I were to get another from them, I would definitely ask them to make sure to add padding on the inside of the case.
#19
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 59
I have FW I'd be willing to sell for $250 plus shipping. It sews like a dream but need a major paint job just put a new foot pedal on it. It's all cleaned & greased. & DH some of my machines have to go. maybe he won't notice if I slip some of them under my sewing table?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post